Tag: Faith

From Majesty to Messy

Rob Woodrum7 Comments

I don’t believe it properly represents Christ to burn books as a protest, or as a means of “venting”, as Dr. Terry Jones explained his reasons for desiring to burn copies of the Q’uran on the 9/11 anniversary. I honestly believe it is not only a poor example of Christianity, it is pretty much the antithesis of what Christ represents.  Anti-Christ, you could say.  I’m not saying that to stir up more anger and controversy about the proposed book burning…I’m saying it because Dr. Jones reminds me that we as the church don’t always do a very good job of representing who Jesus is, or what He’s all about.  A quick glance at church history tells us that.  It’s pretty much been that way from the beginning.

We’re looking at Luke 9:37-45 this Sunday.

The disciples of Jesus didn’t do a very good job representing His power to the people back then either.  It’s sort of endemic to our faith.  Jesus prays, we go to sleep.  Jesus reveals the glory of heaven, we want to build tents.  Jesus gives us power and authority to advance His kingdom, and we just can’t seem to get it to work like He does.  It’s been 2,000 years of this same show.

Yet…what is the result of this story.  What happens, and what do we learn about Jesus and ourselves?  What is His final statement to them in this section…and why does he bring THAT up again?  Those are some interesting thoughts to ponder as we prepare to explore this together.  Let me hear your thoughts!

Our Inadequacy is Christ’s Abundance

Rob Woodrum3 Comments

This Sunday we’ll be exploring the events described in Luke 9:10-17.  The astute reader may worry that I’ve skipped verses 7-9 in our studies…but we’re just putting those aside, and we’ll be dealing with them next time.  Our focus this week will be on the miracle of the loaves and fish.

This appears to be an important miracle, because all four gospels recount the story of it.  Early Church art often used the imagery of loaves and fish as symbolic of God’s provision, and even the gospel itself.  We have been exposed to the telling of this miracle so much that it tends to get lost in the shuffle of telling the story of Christ, but it has a very important message contained it.

There are several parallels to the Old Testament that are most likely intentional.  Jesus in the wilderness, providing food for His followers, like Moses in the wilderness providing Wonder Bread (manna) for the children of Israel; or the multiplication of resources yielded to God like the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath.

As you read this story, what distinctions do you see between the way Jesus responded to the people and the need and the way the disciples responded?  Consider the overall setting and circumstances, that the disciples had just come back from their own ministry tour and were probably worn out…does this possible detail impact the story in any way?  If you apply this story to your own life as a servant of Christ…what lesson can you glean about meeting the needs of the world around you?

Should be interesting…hope to see you Sunday!

Who is the King?

Rob Woodrum5 Comments
Pilate offers Jesus to the crowd

We’re going to continue in Mark this Sunday…we’ll be looking at Mark 15:1-20.

The Jewish leaders have concluded their judgement of Jesus, and believe Him deserving of death.  They, however, don’t have the authority to put someone to death because they are under Roman rule.  Their difficulty is now to convince the Roman governor, Pilate,  who has jurisdiction over Jerusalem to condemn Jesus to the death sentence.

They have condemned Jesus as deserving of death because of blasphemy, but they know that will never wash with a Roman ruler.  So, they focus on the one thing sure to get Pilate’s attention, and that is the claim to be the King of the Jewish people.  Why would that get Pilate’s attention?

When Pilate asks Jesus about this claim, Jesus, in the original language, says essentially: “That’s what you say.”  Why does Jesus seem so non-committal in His answer?  Maybe John’s version of this encounter sheds some light on it: John 18:36-37.

Things get exposed in glaring detail the nearer we get to the cross.  Pilate sees why the religious leaders want Jesus killed (v10).  What were their motives?  Why THOSE motives?  What does this tell us about their thought of Jesus as king?

What does Pilate marvel at (v5)?  Why do you think this causes him to wonder in admiration?  What was he looking for in a king?

Why did the crowd choose the way they did?  What made the difference between Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and this moment?  What were they looking for in a king?

Why do the soldiers treat Jesus the way they do?  What has them so riled up?  What possible motive can they have for this level of cruelty?  What do they reveal about their view of Jesus as king?

What is the center of this trial?  What is the crucial question asked?  Have we asked that question when it comes to our lives? 

See you Sunday!